Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, has addressed recent confusion regarding her remarks that were perceived as a critique of Meghan Markle’s wardrobe during the Duchess’s visit to Nigeria.
Meghan Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, were in Nigeria from May 10 to May 12 at the request of the Chief of Defense Staff. Their visit aimed to support Harry’s Invictus Games, with Nigeria participating for the first time in 2023, and to advocate for youth mental health programs under the Archewell Foundation.
The controversy arose after a speech by First Lady Tinubu at the “Celebrating the Woman” event in Abuja, which was widely circulated by Arise News. In her speech, she commented on cultural values, saying, “We are not having the Met Gala . . . We don’t accept nakedness in our culture. It is not beautiful at all . . . They are mimicking and trying to emulate film stars from America. They don’t know where they come from. Why did Meghan come here, looking for Africa? That is something we have to take home with. We know who we are, and don’t lose who you are.”
These comments were misconstrued by various media outlets as a direct critique of Meghan Markle’s attire during her visit. However, the First Lady’s office has since clarified the intention behind Tinubu’s words. In a statement to AFP Fact Check, her office explained, “She meant Meghan appreciates the people we are and hence her coming here. At no point did she say anything about Meghan’s dressing.”
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The clarification emphasized that Tinubu’s mention of Meghan was in the context of the Duchess’s personal journey to understand her heritage, as Meghan recently discovered she is 43 percent Nigerian. The First Lady’s comments were intended to highlight Meghan’s respect and appreciation for Nigerian culture, not to criticize her fashion choices.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s visit to Nigeria did not include a public meeting with the Nigerian president or his spouse, according to People. Despite the media frenzy, the primary focus of their trip remained the promotion of the Invictus Games and mental health initiatives.
This incident underscores the importance of context in public statements and the rapid spread of misinformation. The First Lady’s office hopes that this clarification will put to rest any misunderstandings about her speech and Meghan Markle’s visit to Nigeria.